On the Edge

by C.E. Poverman

On the Edge is an unflinchingly intimate portrayal of a man troubled by his past, the stress of a passionate love relationship with his young wife, and the pressures of his morally ambiguous job. Through Poverman's protagonist Frank August, we are exposed to a searingly candid picture of a legal investigator and the criminal justice system itself. Having failed the California bar exam, Frank August has become an investigator in San Francisco by default. When a lawyer offers him a drug case at his client's request, Frank is severely compromised; no one knows that the client and Frank have an old and complex friendship. As Frank goes deeper into the case, he finds himself confronted by his unresolved relationship with his dead father, his drinking, and his wife. He will ultimately be pushed to make a decision which will call all of his relationships into play, and test his concepts and bonds of loyalty and friendship.

Hardcover

First published May 1, 1997

About the author

C. E. Poverman’s first book of stories, The Black Velvet Girl, won the Iowa School of Letters Award for Short Fiction. His second, Skin, was nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His stories have appeared in the O’Henry, Pushcart, and other antholo¬gies. His previous novels are Susan, Solomon’s Daughter, My Father in Dreams, and On the Edge.

Reviews

[Lori Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, drama from the get go! Who do you know? Who do you trust? Twists and turns from every direction…some personal demons, soul searching and the driving need for answers…I was exhausted after reading, but never bored!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. Although it has the same plot lines as a lot of books, it was well-written, and the lead character interesting and engaging.